UEFA Champions League Match Day 5 Preview and Betting Tips

  • In Charles Meshell
  • Tue, Nov 27th, 2018 11:22:17 am
  • By Charles Meshell - ROI Capper


Champions League returns and ROI Capper has a preview and picks for the top match on Tuesday's card when Real Madrid heads to Italy to take on Roma. Also included are free tips for matches involving Manchester City and Hoffenheim.

UEFA Champions League Match Day 5

The UEFA Champions League makes its long await return this week and the stakes could not be higher for the majority of the teams involved. There should be no shortage of suspense as the opening whistles arrive. 

Day one sees group leaders Juventus, Bayern Munich and Manchester City all in a position to advance through into the Round of 16 with victories, while Roma and Real Madrid sit atop Group G, with a winners take all scenario in Rome.


Roma vs Real Madrid
Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
11-27-2018 - 3:00 pm ET - TNT 

The featured match on the card takes place in the Eternal city. With two European regulars set to face off for the second time in group play, the stage is set for another classic encounter between these two UEFA giants.

Roma will have plenty of motivation to grab all three points on Tuesday night, after Real Madrid placed 3 goals on the board during their first meeting on match day one. 

Eusebio Di Francesco hopes to replicate his debut season with the "I Giallorossi". The former Roma midfielder led the Italians to a third place finish in Serie A, while going on a improbable Champions League run to the Semi-Finals, which included reversing a 3 goal differential to Spanish champs Barcelona

The Romans are now in a strong position to follow up their successful 2017-2018 campaign. With a victory against Los Blancos they can assure themselves a spot in the final sixteen and the opportunity to once again play spoiler against the perennial favorites in the field. 

Di Francesco may be challenged to field his normal rotation, with Daniele De Rossi already a definite scratch, Diego Perrotti and Kostas Manolas are listed on the injury report, and will be game-time decisions to make the starting eleven. 

The home side will have their main target-man on the pitch, with Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko set to lead the line atop Roma's 4-2-3-1 formation. The veteran tally's man has shined during Champions League play, netting 5 Goals and Assisting on 2 more, the rangy net finder will be salivating at the opportunity to face a pedestrian Real Madrid back-line, who have only kept 2 clean sheets during their last 15 matches away from the Santiago Bernabéu.

Roma also believe they will have an advantage on the flanks, with wingers Stephan El Shaarawy, Justin Kluivert and Cengiz Ünder all in contention to get the starting nod, their pace and explosive moves while in the attacking half of the pitch are sure to keep the Spaniards on their heels.

Robin Olsen is certainly looking forward to this re-match. After having a outstanding performance while with his national team in Russia, the Swedish keeper was punished his last time out against the Whites.  However, the stingy net-minder was purchased to solidify the Italians back-end. He now gets the opportunity to place that dreadful performance behind him, and help lead his new side to all three points.

Real Madrid land in Rome off a humiliating 0-3 stunner in domestic play and the Madridistas now face a determined Roma side who are still boiling off their match day one result.

Los Blancos have been on a whirl-wind ride since since lifting their third straight Champions League trophy. The Spaniards were dealt a harsh hand when manager Zinedine Zidane unexpectedly decided to step down from his post, followed up by the selling off one of the clubs' most accomplished players in Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving major voids in the teams overall confidence.

The Whites are already on their third manager since May. After Julen Lopetegui was sacked for his horrid start to the new campaign, Santiago Solari was inserted by club President Florentino Pérez to help steer the ship, and get the famed franchise back to their winning ways. 

Solari had been a overwhelming hit since his arrival, but after being trashed by minnow side Eibar over the weekend, the former Real Madrid player was brought down to earth and is now expected to get his troops to respond after their lack-luster performance in the Basque Country.

The departure of Ronaldo has allowed for new goal scoring threats, with two-thirds of the "BBC" still in tact, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema now carry the responsibility of finding the back of the net for Los Blancos. With 8 Goals and 3 Assists combined in all competitions, the talented duo must pick up the pace left by the Portuguese super-star.

Madrid's midfield must continue to pick up the slack, as they are arguably the strongest part of the team. Tono Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco are all world-class players, and each have the abilities to help overcome many of the clubs deficiencies. Solari must lean on this trio more than ever, as they are able to hold onto the ball and keep possession away from a aggressive Italian side, while setting the Spaniards high powered offense into motion, their pure class must shine for the visitors to escape Rome with a victory.

The Whites back-line must step up to the impending challenge on Tuesday night, after conceding 3 goals to the smallest club in La Liga, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Daniel Carvajal will be under a bright spotlight, expected to shut the door on Roma's electric attack, their will be huge expectations for these veteran defenders to live up too.


Roma vs Real Madrid - Match Prediction

The battle of the two top teams in Group G have plenty of storylines. With each on the verge of solidifying a spot in the Round of 16, we should expect one of the better matches of the day.

Roma have taken major strides since conceding 3 goals in Madrid. The I Giallorossi have reeled off three straight Champions league victories and now look to make it four in a row by running at the Spaniards on a consistent basis, Real Madrid have shown they struggle to defend teams with pace, and Roma's wingers can cause real headaches for a aging back-line. 

Real Madrid understand the blueprint of picking the Italians apart, using their highly skilled players to create Individual shots on goal where Roma struggle to keep creative players from getting their own shots off. Los Blancos must also keep the ball away from the home side, using their 60.5% possession ratio too their advantage to see this match out.

I fully expect to see a wide open contest in Rome, with these two teams combining for 35 shots per match, there should be multiple goals placed on the final score-line. A final score of 2-2 would seem appropriate, as these two European giants attempt to grab the top spot in Group G.


Roma vs Real Madrid - Match Tips


Over 1.25  -110 / 1.91 - Total 1st Half Goals
Both Teams To Score In 1st Half  +245 / 3.45
Roma - Team Total Over 1.5  +120 / 2.2 - Goals
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -135 / 1.74


UCL - Bonus Match Tips

Lyon vs Manchester City 
11-27-2018 - 3:00 pm ET 

Over 1.25  -125 / 1.8 - Total 1st Half Goals 
Over 3.25  -135 / 1.74 - Total Full Time Goals
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -120 / 1.83

Bet on MLS soccer at Bovada

Hoffenheim vs Shaktar 
11-27-2018 - 3:00 pm ET

Over 1.25  -115 / 1.87 - Total 1st Half Goals 
Over 1.75  -125 / 1.8  -  Total 2nd Half Goals 
Over 3.25 -120 / 1.83 - Total Full Time Goals 
Hoffenheim - Team Total Over 2  +100 / 2.0  Goals 
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -135 / 1.74


ROI Capper now offers Premier League and all of Europe's Top Football/Soccer Tips @ PicksCity.com

All Picks Verified Through Cappersenterprise (Cappers 3rd party service) Twitter @cappersentrprze 


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